I have been asked to remind folks that this is not the place to discuss religion, politics, or sports. For a while, in earlier times, there'd be the occasional good-natured back and forth between a certain couple of Ozzies and Kiwis re: the merits of particular football or cricket teams--amusing to them but not very interesting to those of us who either weren't familiar with the teams and/or were not interested in sports. And of course, the other two topics are well known to be likely to cause offense and controversy.

Pretty much from the beginning, we have had a policy of making conscious effort to show mutual respect and to avoid creating ill will. Statements--about anything--that say or even imply "I'm right and if you disagree there's something wrong with you" do not indicate respect; and even "I'm right in this" or "I believe this", if repeated and repeated, can seem more like an invitation to argue than a simple statement of belief, which we all should feel free to express as long as we do it without simultaneously implying insult.

Certainly not, JJ. You're free to maintain any idiotic thing you want to; just keep it to yourself. As Mark Twain (or was it Yogi Berra?) said, "It is better to remain silent and be considered a fool than to speak and remove all doubt."

Thanks Faldage, futurehense I will refrain from saying things you consider "idiotic". I guess I'd best not engage you in further repartee until you provide me a list of beliefs you consider to be "idiotic".

Use your own common sense. If 97% of the people who know what they're talking about say it's nonsense, chances are it's nonsense.

Ah yes. Reality is assigned by popular vote. Really?And just who decides which people know what they are talking about?My poor dear Faldage, common sense is common, use logic.

I'd be happy to explain to you the inconsequential nature of so-called "climate change" (a fall-back posture for what was once called "global warming") but here on this fine language forum you would contrively call me a "climate denier" or some other cutesy nouncey epithet.

Apparently we do need stinkin' rules but I hope you and Anu won't censure thoughts here that you and Anu find to be politically incorrect, for example; any comment about Global Warming. First things first--I'd bet everything I have that Anu won't censure anything; and the only time I have (other than deleting spam) was way back when I first became Admin and had no idea of what I was supposed to do (not that I'm all that wonderful now, mind you). And I was made to see the error of my ways in short order, I can tell you. I won't say that I never will, because there may be some circumstance in the future that could warrant it; but it would have to be an extreme situation.

You referred to Global Warming; I'm going to guess that there has been some discussion that I have not read yet, and for my purposes right now the details don't matter. My point in my opening post was that we try to respect each other here. FTR I don't know why this topic would come up on a language discussion board, but 'twould be far from the first time that "side items" have shown up!

Re: your and Faldage's back and forth in this thread--there have been many times in the history of AWADtalk that members have agreed to disagree. You asked him, if I got this right, to say what sources he considers authoritative, which is a fair question. That tells me that it's possible that you have different sources of authority, and that is fine--everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. I heard a man on television tell his children that people who believe in evolution are mistaken; I happen to disagree with that but I have to allow him his belief. And, I posted on another place a study done by Harvard Medical School that disproved a popular (among some people) politicized view; frankly I think that people ought to believe that Harvard is a trustworthy source, but if they don't, I have to say they're entitled to that belief.

I would just request that if anyone feels they may have been insulted, please ask for clarification--it is all too easy to misinterpret things on the 'net; and again, to show respect for others' choices. Thanks, all.

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